|
|
Animal Voice - 2007 anti-bullfighting edition
Campaign newsletter of the Irish Council Against Blood Sports
In This Issue:
01. Ticketmaster asked to stop selling bullfight tickets
01. Ticketmaster asked to stop selling bullfight tickets International ticket selling company, Ticketmaster, has been urged to end the sale of bullfight tickets from its website. In an appeal to the company, ICABS stated: "We are horrified to think that Ticketmaster believes it is appropriate to sell tickets for this barbarity." On its Mexican website, Ticketmaster is selling tickets for bullfighting events in Tijuana. Those who make a purchase can "collect your tickets at our Ticketmaster outlets" or receive them directly through the post. Meanwhile, on the website of Tick Tack Tickets (A Ticketmaster company in Spain), tickets are available to purchase for bullfighting events (Toros) in Alicante, Bilbao, Zaragoza , Madrid, Marbella, Maestranza, Segovia, Malaga, Tudela and Granada. ACTION ALERT Please join us in contacting Ticketmaster to ask them to stop selling tickets for events involving animal cruelty.
SAMPLE LETTER
Terry Barnes
Email: info@iac.com
or
Mr Chris Edmonds
Email 1: customer_support@ticketmaster.com
Dear Sir, I am writing to appeal to Ticketmaster to stop selling tickets to bullfighting events from your Mexican and Spanish websites and via your ticket outlets. As you may be aware, bullfighting is a horrendous activity which results in enormous animal suffering. Every year, thousands of bulls are brutally speared and stabbed to death in Spain and Mexico in what has been condemned internationally as one of the world's most barbaric activities. Those who purchase tickets through Ticketmaster will see these unfortunate bulls stumbling around an arena with blood spurting from their backs and blood spraying from their nostrils and mouths. After being tortured in this way, a merciless matador kills the weakened and gasping creatures with a sword. Is this the type of appalling activity which Ticketmaster is happy to make money from? I appeal to your company to show compassion and fully end the sale of bullfighting tickets. Many thanks. I look forward to your positive response. Name/Location. 02. Dublin-based company recommending bullfight visit An online reservations company is recommending that visitors to Spain "check out a bullfight" while on holidays. On one of its websites, Dublin-based Web Reservations International even highlights what it refers to as "the best place in Spain to watch a bullfight". In a letter to the company's CEO, ICABS appealed for the bullfighting references to be removed. "Those who pick up on the suggestions on the Webres websites are likely to see injured animals stumbling around bullfighting arenas gasping for breath and with blood spurting from their backs, mouths and nostrils," we stated. "With this in mind, we hope you can agree that it is inappropriate to publicise bullfighting or suggest it as a holiday activity." Also pointed out was a comment from a tourist posted on one of Web Reservations' sites - "I was prepared for the worst but still found it shocking, disgusting and cruel. I left about half way through after seeing one man being horrifically injured and 3 bulls massacred. It is disgusting and should not be allowed to take place in 2007." Among the bullfighting references displayed on the Web Reservations International websites are:
ACTION ALERT Contact the CEO of Web Reservations International and ask him to ensure that his company stops publicising bullfighting on its websites.
SAMPLE LETTER
Ray Nolan
Email: info@worldres.com
Dear Mr Nolan, Several references to bullfighting appear on websites run by Web Reservations International. As bullfighting is a horrendous form of animal cruelty, I appeal to your company to show compassion and stop publicising this activity. Thank you. I hope you can issue a positive reply. Yours sincerely, Name/Location 03. Bullring visit in Abbey Travel itinerary Despite indicating two years ago that bullfighting would be kept out of its holiday brochures, Abbey Travel has included a visit to a Spanish bullring in its 2007 Europe Holidays publication. A company director had previously told ICABS: "I don't see any great reason for us to mention bullfighting or bullrings in our future brochures." In our latest letter of appeal to Abbey Travel, ICABS expressed disappointment that a bullring features in the brochure and in a holiday itinerary. On page 22 of the "Europe Holidays and City Breaks" brochure 2007, an Andalucia itinerary presents a "visit to the oldest bullring in Spain and its museum" as an option. We understand that among the exhibits on show at the museum are blood-splattered bullfighting cloaks. In 2005, following an ICABS appeal, Managing Director, Joe Balfe argued that bullfighting is "a part of Spanish culture whether we like it or not" but indicated at the time that future brochures would exclude the blood sport. ACTION ALERT Please join us in asking Abbey Travel to stop publicising bullrings in its travel brochure and to exclude the Ronda bullring visit from its Andalucia itinerary.
SAMPLE LETTER
Mr. Joe Balfe
Email: information@abbeytravel.ie
Dear Sir, I am one of the millions of people all across Europe and the world who oppose the cruel and bloody activity of bullfighting. I find it disappointing that your company, Abbey Travel, is publicising the Ronda bullring in one of your brochures and that a visit to this bullring and its museum is one of the options in your Andalucia itinerary. I appeal to you to remove this from the itinerary and to avoid publicising bullfighting venues in future travel brochures. Yours sincerely, Name/Location 04. Drop bullring from Spanish tour: appeal to Slatterys ICABS is appealing to Slatterys Travel to exclude a bullring from its 2007 Spanish Wonder tour. The Valencia bullring is mentioned in the company's current Escorted Tours brochure.
05. AA asked to drive bullfighting out of travel guides ICABS has appealed to the AA to stop including bullfighting information in its travel guide books. In their Spiral Guide to Spain, bullfighting is listed in a section headed "Where to be entertained". In a letter of appeal to the company, ICABS also pointed out the following bullfighting references:
A spokesperson for the company has told ICABS that they "aim to be at the very least neutral about these controversial things" and that the editors for the Portuguese guide books would be asked to review the text on bullfighting at the next update. ICABS is appealing to AA Publishing to give strong warnings to readers about bullfighting instead of being neutral on the subject. If you would like to see an end to bullfighting in the AA's travel guides, please join us in our appeal to the company. ACTION ALERT Please ask AA Publishing to stop featuring bullfighting in its books and to instead warn holidaymakers about the cruelty of the blood sport and how upsetting it an be to see an animal being tortured and killed.
SAMPLE LETTER
The Chief Editor
Email: customer.services@Theaa.com
Dear Sir/Madam, I am one of the millions of people across Europe who are opposed to bullfighting. I am writing to AA Publishing to make a special appeal to your company to exclude details about bullfighting from your travel guides. As bullfighting involves extreme animal abuse, I feel it is an inappropriate activity to present to readers of your guides. Many of the curious tourists who venture into bullrings come away distressed at what they see - bulls being stabbed with banderillas, blood flowing from their bodies, the unfortunate creatures stumbling around the arena in pain. Seeing this type of barbarity is sure to leave a deep and dark shadow across their holiday memories. I am asking your reputable company to please avoid recommending bullfighting to readers and instead warn them explicitly about the violence which makes this activity one of the worst acts of animal cruelty in the world. Thank you. I look forward to your positive response. Name/Location. 06. Ryanair's Michael O'Leary poses as matador Ryanair boss, Michael O'Leary has posed as a matador in Madrid to publicise new routes from Spain. The publicity stunt is likely to cause offence to the millions across Europe opposed to the blood sport. According to the CincoDias newspaper of 17 May 2007, "Michael O'Leary appeared in a press conference in Madrid dressed as a bullfighter." The newspaper also published a photo showing him holding up a bullfighting cape and posing as a matador. ICABS is deeply disappointed at Mr O'Leary's insensitive use of a bullfighting theme to publicise flights, particularly as we have previously made him aware of the enormous suffering caused to bulls and horses in bullrings around the world. Every year, thousands of bulls are mercilessly speared and stabbed to death in blood spattered arenas. Last year, following an appeal to Ryanair to stop publicising bullfighting in their in-flight magazine, Michael O'Leary told ICABS that although he thought bullfighting was "boring and pointless", Ryanair "respect people's right to attend bullfights if they so wish". ICABS has lodged a complaint with Ryanair and asked them to stop trivialising animal cruelty. ACTION ALERT Please join us in our call to Michael O'Leary and Ryanair to stop trivialising bullfighting in their marketing campaigns and to exclude the activity from their in-flight magazine.
Mr Michael O'Leary
Email: michaeloleary@ryanair.com
07. An historic day in anti-bullfighting campaign May 17th 2007 was a historic day in the campaign against bullfighting. It was the day anti-bullfighting campaigners from all over the world came together to voice the opposition of the world's majority to the barbaric blood sport of bullfighting. ICABS was pleased to be represented at the event. We originally started out as an anti-bullfighting group over 40 years ago and our campaigning against this most brutal of activities continues today. Watch our short video of the event at www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVPxF4pgnvE. This documents the collective protest outside a bullring in Lisbon from where the message was loud and clear: bullfighting is unacceptable in a modern world and it will be banned. 08. Boycott Bullfighting Blackspots If you visit a bullfighting country this summer, please avoid the cities, towns and villages where bulls are abused in the bullrings. When you arrive at your holiday destination, please check out the new ICABS WAPsite on your mobile phone or wireless device for a full listing. To access the site, enter the 'Internet' or 'Services' menu on your phone or wireless device and connect to http://www.banbloodsports.com/bull This is a free site. You are only charged your standard network rate for WAP browsing. If you have friends or family members visiting a bullfighting country, please tell them about the site. Alternatively, print out the list of bullfighting blackspots and ask them to bring it with them on holidays. Please click on Latest News at www.banbloodsports.com and scroll down to "Boycott Bullfighting Blackspots" for the full list or print the list by clicking on the following links. Bullfighting blackspots around the world:
SPAIN (pdf file, 54 Kb)
Lists compiled by League Against Cruel Sports 09. Withdraw bullring adverts: appeal to Spanish bank A Spanish bank has been asked to withdraw advertisement boards from a bullring in Portugal. The adverts for Caja Duero bank were seen at the Evora venue where bleeding bulls with banderillas hanging from their backs were photographed. The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has responded to an International Movement Against Bullfights action alert and urged the bank to disassociate from bullfighting. Please join us in our appeal to Caja Duero bank. ACTION ALERT Please urge Caja Duero to remove their signs from Evora bullring.
Caja Duero bank - Spanish Head Office
Caja Duero bank - Portugal Office
SAMPLE LETTER
To whom it concerns: I wish to complain about the presence of Caja Duero advertisement signs at Evora bullring this week. Portuguese bullfighting, as you may be aware, is a horrendous activity which leaves bulls bleeding and suffering from their injuries. Following the bullfight and away from the arena, the creatures are killed. It is incredible that a modern bank would allow its name to be in any way associated with this internationally condemned activity. I ask Caja Duero to remove the advertisement signs from this bullring (and any other bullfighting venues where they may be on display) and to fully disassociate from animal cruelty. Thank you. I look forward to your reply. Yours sincerely, Name/Location 10. Pepsi contacts Mexican bullring following ICABS appeal Pepsi has asked a bullring in Mexico to avoid using the company's famous logo on bullfighting tickets. The move came after ICABS reported a publicity notice for a bullfight in July which claimed that "Pepsi invites you to Plaza Monumental". The notice, published on the Ticketmaster website, has since been changed to exclude the Pepsi reference. Replying to a letter from ICABS, Dick Detwiler of PepsiCo International stressed that "as a general practice we don't sponsor bull fights". "In this case, a local Pepsi bottler sold some drinks to an arena which holds various events throughout the year, most of which are not bull fights," he went on to explain. "There was no sponsorship component to the transaction, and there are no Pepsi signs in the arena. Furthermore neither PepsiCo nor our bottler has any sort of ongoing agreement with either the arena or the arranger of the bull fights." "Unfortunately, the arena unilaterally decided to include the Pepsi name on tickets for the event without our authorization," Mr Detwiler added. "We have brought this matter to the attention of the arena and have asked them to refrain from any future actions of this type." ICABS has thanked Pepsi for contacting the Mexican bullring and for reassuring us that they do not sponsor bullfighting events. 11. MyTravel urged to remove online bullfighting content MyTravel Tour Operations has been urged to exclude information about bullfighting from their mytravel.com, directholidays.co.uk, airtours.co.uk and crestaholidays.co.uk websites.
12. Complaint over "Corrida Red" Skoda ICABS has asked Skoda to consider renaming the red version of its latest Octavia car. In a letter to the company, ICABS said that "Corrida Red" brings to mind the blood which spurts from the backs of bulls during bullfighting corridas. "I am sorry to learn that you are dissatisfied with the vehicle colour name Corrida Red," a spokesperson responded. "I can assure you that no intentional inference to bull fighting is intended. I can advise you that the Skoda factory is responsible for choosing the colour names for our vehicles. I have forwarded a copy of your email to the factory for their attention." If you would like to contact Skoda about this issue, the address is: customerservices@skoda.co.uk 13. First anti-bullfighting city in America Banos de Agua Santa in Ecuador has made history by declaring itself America's first anti-bullfighting city. Reporting on the good news, Jordi Casamitjana of the League Against Cruel Sports said "We are delighted that this city can lead the way in showing that it is unacceptable for cities to allow bullfights in which the animal is tortured, injured and killed." ICABS has written to the government in Ecuador to praise Banos de Agua Santa's move and to call for a complete nationwide ban on bullfighting. 14. Keep donkeys out of bullfights The UK's Donkey Sanctuary and its Spanish subsidiary, El Refugio del Burrito, are calling on people to complain to the mayors of towns where donkeys have been used in bullfighting events. The groups are currently preparing a legal case to try to stop donkeys being used in future Becerradas (bullfights that use calfs). During the reported events, a blindfolded donkey was used in place of a picador-mounted horse and a calf was repeatedly provoked to attack the creature. ACTION ALERT Please contact the majors of the towns and ask them to stop using donkeys in bullfighting events. Tell them that as long as donkeys, bulls and horses are subjected to the suffering of bullfighting, you will boycott their towns on any future visit to Spain. The contact details for the mayors are as follows:
Armando Garcia Cuenca
Juan Jose Carvajal Martin
15. Stop making fun of bullrunning: appeal to Unilever Unilever has been asked to stop making fun out of Spanish bullrunning. ICABS made the call after learning of a bullrun video game on a website promoting the company's Sure for Men product. The game on the Power Pamplona website allows players to control a character as he tries to outrun a charging bull and avoid being hit. It has been produced to coincide with Extreme Pamplona, an event to be held at the end of July and described on the site as being similar to the Pamplona bullrun. "Just like in the real Pamplona, you'll be chased through the streets [and] the five who make it to the bullring first qualify for the final," it states. Responding to an email from ICABS, a spokesperson for Extreme Pamplona said that they are not an official sponsor or partner of the Pamplona Bull Run and do not endorse the event itself. "The Extreme Pamplona event is a completely separate entity taking place independently of the cultural bull run," he explained. "This event is designed to link our product to an adrenalin fuelled chase and as such we chose a European location that is synonymous with chasing. At no point during this event will any bulls be harmed, killed or risk sustaining injury." However, in a fax to Unilever's head office in London, ICABS argued that the game trivialises bullrunning. We pointed out that it could encourage players to take part in the real Pamplona bullrun, an event which not only involves cruelty to animals but has also resulted in 13 people losing their lives over the years. ACTION ALERT Please join our call to Unilever to withdraw the game and stop publicising bullrunning in its online and television marketing campaigns.
SAMPLE LETTER
Unilever PLC
To whom it concerns: I appeal to Unilever to stop using the theme of bullrunning in its current television and internet marketing campaigns. I refer in particular to a bullrun game on the Power Pamplona website which invites players to play the "Sure for Men Extreme Pamplona Online Chase." This involves controlling a character in his attempt to outrun a bull. The game includes a bullring setting and a background image showing a matador waving a cape at a bull. Although the Sure for Men chase depicted is unconnected to the actual Pamplona bullrun, this advertising campaign gives publicity to Pamplona as a bullrunning town and could encourage players to take part in the real event which involves animal cruelty as well as extreme danger to human participants. Please withdraw this game and avoid using bullrun-related themes in future advertising campaigns. Thank you. I look forward to your positive response. Name/Location. 16. Unilever urged to drop bullrun TV ad The Unilever company has been urged to drop a television advert which uses a bullrunning theme to promote a deodorant. In a letter of complaint, ICABS stated: "We are thoroughly disappointed that your company felt it was appropriate to associate a product with an event which has been internationally condemned for its animal cruelty." The Sure for Men advert, currently being shown on Irish and British television, starts off with a man packing for a holiday to the "Running of the Bulls, Spain". In his suitcase are a Pamplona guide book and a Pamplona street map. Throughout the ad we see him running from various creatures (bears, wolves, rhinoceros) before he is eventually welcomed into a bullring at the end. [To see stills from the advert, Click on Latest News at www.banbloodsports.com and scroll down to Unilever urged to drop bullrun TV ad 20 June 2007] In a letter of complaint to Unilever, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports, pointed out the reality of bullrunning:
"As we have an ongoing campaign against bullfighting and bullrunning in which we encourage Irish holidaymakers to avoid supporting this cruelty, we are calling on Unilever to withdraw this offensive advert," we added. ACTION ALERT Please join our call to Unilever to withdraw the Pamplona ad and to give a commitment that cruelty-based themes will not be used in future marketing campaigns.
SAMPLE LETTER
Unilever PLC
To whom it concerns: I wish to make a complaint about the current television advert for Sure for Men. I find it extremely offensive that Unilever is using a bullrun theme to promote one of its products. Bullrunning, as you may be aware, involves terrible cruelty to animals - electric shock prods are used to make the bulls run, they are at risk of sustaining injuries (including broken bones) and afterwards, in the local bullring, they are brutally tortured and killed. Furthermore, bullrunning can be fatal for the human participants - over the years, at least 13 people have lost their lives at the Pamplona run. Surely, this is not the type of activity Unilever wants associated with its company. I hope you can urgently act to have this offensive advert withdrawn. Thank you. I look forward to your positive response. Name/Location. 17. Lastminute.com removing bullfighting references from website Travel company, lastminute.com, has responded positively to an appeal from ICABS to remove bullfighting references from its website. A statement issued by the company has outlined that it is now "in the process of removing all bullfighting references from its site". According to Public Relations Manager, Paul Nelson, bullfighting references included in hotel information listings were provided to lastminute.com by the hoteliers themselves. "Lastminute.com is working closely with our hotel partners with regard to removing all references to bullfighting from its site," he said, adding that "lastminute.com has never promoted nor condoned bullfighting, or any other type of bloodsport, on its site." In our initial correspondence to the company, ICABS pointed out at least nine instances of bullfighting being listed as a "local attraction". We are delighted with lastminute.com's positive response and we have thanked the company for their commitment to removing bullfighting references from the site. Thank you to everyone who joined us in our appeal to lastminute.com (Thanks to Fundacion FAADA for bringing this issue to our attention) A complaint has been lodged with sweet company, Haribo, over the packaging of its Pesetos product. ICABS has told management that placing an animal killer on the front of a children's product is in bad taste. "We appeal to Haribo to remove the matador from the packaging and present a positive image instead," ICABS stated in a letter to Haribo's Managing Director, Per Henerius. "As you may be aware, matadors are responsible for horrendous animal cruelty; we believe therefore that it is inappropriate for this type of imagery to be used for marketing a product, particularly sweets aimed at children who especially love animals and hate to see them being harmed." The company has been invited to view our video presentations and photos which show why millions of people across Europe and the world want a global ban on bullfighting. ACTION ALERT Please join us in contacting Haribo to ask them to keep animal killers off their product packaging.
SAMPLE LETTER
Per Henerius
Email: info@haribo.com
Dear Sir, I am writing to complain about the packaging of Haribo's Pesetos upon which is displayed a matador waving a red cape. Considering the absolute barbarity of this blood sport, would your company not agree that the use of this type of imagery is entirely inappropriate, particularly on the packaging of a product aimed at children who especially love animals and hate to see them being harmed. Matadors, like the one represented on the Pesetos packaging, are responsible for the most awful animal cruelty. In the bullring, bulls are brutally speared and stabbed to death - while the matador waves his red cape, the bull stumbles weakly, desperately gasping for breath as blood spurts from his back, mouth and nose. It's no wonder that millions of people across Europe and around the world find this activity abhorrent. I hope that Haribo can demonstrate that it is against the cruelty of bullfighting by changing the Pesetos packaging. Thank you. I look forward to your positive response. Name/Location. 19. Biggest ever anti-bullfight protest in Spain The biggest ever anti-bullfighting demonstration to take place in Spain attracted over 4,000 protestors at the weekend. Held in Barcelona, the event was organised to draw attention to the growing opposition to the blood sport in Spain and around the world. A spokesperson for organisers FAADA and Libera commented: "Spanish people are opposed to their country being identified with bullfights and to the fact that these cruel shows, which are condemned and rejected by over 70 per cent of Spain's population, are subsidized with public funds." 20. Dorling Kindersley publicising bullfighting International book publishers, Dorling Kindersley, are publicising bullfighting in their travel guides. In one of their Eyewitness Lisbon books, for example, bullfighting is presented as "traditional entertainment" and details of a bullfighting venue and times are provided. Please contact the company and ask them to stop publicising an activity which involves extreme cruelty to animals.
Mr Gary June
Email: customerservice@dk.com
Dear Mr June, I am writing to ask Dorling Kindersley to please stop publicising bullfighting in its travel guides. By presenting details about this horrendous blood sport and describing it as "entertainment", you are giving holidaymakers the idea that this is an activity to consider attending while on holidays. Shouldn't your company instead be warning readers about how it is extremely upsetting and shocking to see an animal being tortured to death. Witnessing a bull stumbling around a bullring with blood flowing from its wounds is undoubtedly something that casts a dark shadow across holiday memories. I hope DK will do the right thing and stop giving positive publicity to events involving animal cruelty. Thank you. I look forward to your reply. Yours sincerely, Name/Location 21. Major hotel operators remove bullfighting from website Corinthia Hotels International have responded positively to an ICABS appeal and removed bullfighting references from their website. ICABS wrote to the company after spotting the following Question and Answer on the site: "What is the difference between Portuguese bullfighting and Spanish bullfighting? Portuguese bullfighting can be said to be more humane as the bull is not killed during the bullfight." In a letter of appeal to the company's management, ICABS highlighted the absolute cruelty of Portuguese bullfighting. "The bull is mercilessly stabbed with spears, leaving him bleeding profusely from his back," we stated. "The animal is also punched, hit, has its tail pulled and afterwards is killed." ICABS is delighted to report that the company's Chief Executive Officer swiftly arranged for this bullfighting content to be removed. Also deleted was a reference to summer bullfighting in Santarem and "bullfighting traditions" in the Ribatejo region of Lisbon. "I have discussed this matter with our Marketing Department and requested that they review all of the content of our site," replied Malta-based CEO, Tony Potter. ICABS is very grateful to Corinthia Hotels for this positive response. About Corinthia Hotels: Corinthia Hotels International is a leading hotel management company that operates upscale city centre and resort hotels under the Corinthia, Wyndham and Ramada Plaza hotel brands in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. More information at: www.corinthiahotels.com 22. Companies asked to stop supporting Lisbon bullfighting Among the companies supporting bullfighting in Lisbon's Campo Pequeno bullring are VIP Magazine Portugal, TVi Television, 24 Horas Newspaper and Lisbon City Council. We need your help to convince all four to disassociate from this cruel activity. Please respond to the action alerts below and ask your friends to do so too. Contact details and sample letters are provided for your convenience. ACTION ALERT 1 Contact VIP Magazine Portugal and ask them to stop supporting bullfighting and publishing positive features on bullfighters.
SAMPLE LETTER
VIP Magazine
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to complain about VIP Magazine's support of bullfighting in Portugal. I also find it disappointing that your publication gives positive coverage to bullfighters. As you are no doubt aware, Portuguese bullfighting sees bulls being stabbed, hit and dragged to the ground. Afterwards the heavily bleeding creatures are slaughtered. It is appalling that your company feels it is appropriate to support this abhorrent activity. I hope that you can strongly consider the enormous suffering caused to the animals and stop associating with this internationally condemned cruelty. Thank you. I look forward to your response. Yours sincerely, Name/Location ACTION ALERT 2 Contact TVi Television and ask them to stop supporting bullfighting and broadcasting bullfighting programmes.
SAMPLE LETTER
TVI
Email via: www.tvi.iol.pt
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to appeal to TVi to stop supporting bullfighting and broadcasting bullfights on your channel. Bullfighting is a terribly cruel activity which a majority of Portuguese citizens want banned. It is incredible that a modern television channel would accept bullfighting as an appropriate activity to cover. I urge you to end your support of bullfighting and to instead highlight the cruelty which has prompted a majority of Portuguese citizens to express their desire to see this blood sport outlawed. Thank you. I look forward to your response. Yours sincerely, Name/Location ACTION ALERT 3 Urge 24 Horas Newspaper to stop supporting bullfighting and to instead expose the inherent animal cruelty.
SAMPLE LETTER
Pedro Tadeu
Email 1: publicidade@24horas.com.pt (Attn: Pedro Tadeu, Director)
Dear Sir, It is very surprising and disappointing that 24 Horas is one of the supporters of bullfighting in Lisbon. As a reputable news publication, surely you can recognise that bullfighting is a barbaric activity that has no place in modern Portugal. I urge you to end your support of bullfighting and to instead highlight the cruelty which has prompted a majority of Portuguese citizens to express their desire to see this blood sport outlawed. Thank you. I look forward to your response. Yours sincerely, Name/Location ACTION ALERT 4 Urgently contact Lisbon City Council and demand that they stop supporting bullfighting. Tell them that they have a duty to promote the Portuguese capital as a modern and civilised city. If the presence of bullfighting in Lisbon disqualifies it as a possible holiday destination for you, please point this out in your correspondence.
SAMPLE LETTER
Camara Municipal de Lisboa
Email: geral@cm-lisboa.pt
Dear Sir/Madam, I am shocked to learn that the city council of a modern European city is supporting the cruel and outdated barbarity that is bullfighting. Bullfighting is opposed by millions all across Europe and the world. It is also, of course, opposed by a majority of Portuguese citizens. Your decision to support bullfighting in the Campo Pequeno bullfighting arena is an insult to these people. We all want this deplorable animal abuse to be made illegal in your city and country. Please do the right thing and immediately end all support and promotion of bullfighting in Lisbon. Thank you. I await your response with great anticipation. Yours sincerely, Name/Country 23. Campaign against fiesta involving chasing of bull into sea The International Movement Against Bullfights is calling on people all around the world to lodge a complaint with the mayor of a Spanish town where a bull is chased into the sea. The unfortunate creature is at risk of drowning when it falls into the local harbour. The Bous a la Mar event is held every July in the Valencian town of Denia to commemorate the Day of the Sacred Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. According to campaigners, those who chase the bull are armed with sticks and they may hit and kick the animal. ACTION ALERT Please voice your opposition to this horrendous fiesta by writing to the local authorities today.
Denia Mayor
Denia Department of Environment
Denia Tourism
SAMPLE LETTER
To whom it concerns: I wish to register my absolute abhorrence at the Denia Bous a la Mar fiesta which involves chasing a bull into the local harbour. I call on you to urgently intervene to end this shameful abuse of animals. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Name/Location "The latest poll of the Spanish, carried out last October [2006], indicates that only 27% of the population claim to be interested in bullfighting. That's less than half than the 55% in 1971, and with the over 64's being those with most interest, support it seems is literally dying out." (From a report on typicallyspanish.com, February 28, 2007) "Corridas (bullfights) are becoming less and less popular in Spain, especially amongst young people. 'Perhaps bullfighting is in trouble at the moment. But we toreros don't care about that.' Davila Miura [retired bullfighter] seems to wipe all doubts aside with a hand movement. For this 'handful' of critics, he only has a contemptuous look. How would he persuade a sceptic to set foot in a bullfighting arena? 'He would simply have to see a corrida. And he would have to understand the most important thing about bullfighting: the bull was born to die.'" (www.cafebabel.com, 15th June, 2007) "The return to the ring of legendary Spanish matador Jose Tomas was marred Sunday by ugly scenes between those hailing their bullfighting 'poet' and protesters branding him a 'murderer' and a 'torturer'." (Agence France Presse, June 17th, 2007) "It would be impossible to defend bullfighting in ethical terms. It is a cruel and atavistic sport - but it is also an interesting art form if you can stomach it." (Trinity News - Trinity College Dublin's student newspaper, February 2007. For the full article and to leave a comment, visit www.trinitynews.ie/articles.php?tn=1&issue=6&id=385) 25. Bullfighting Videos, Photos and Leaflet When contacting companies or government officials about bullfighting, please send them the following links to videos and photos which explicitly convey the cruelty of bullfighting. For videos, click on "Videos" at www.banbloodsports.com or visit the following ICABS Youtube pages
Video - Bullfighting in Spain
Video - Bullfighting in France
Bullfighting Photos
To download the ICABS anti-bullfighting leaflet, click on Leaflets at www.banbloodsports.com. Please give to friends and family who are travelling to bullfighting countries and ask your local travel agent to display one.
|
Top | Newsletters | Home
